President-elect Obama to Have Strong Defense Line

November 26, 2008

Washington (ChattahBox) — It looks like President-elect Barack Obama intends to re-enlist the Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, in his administration. This leads to an unusual situation in which a wartime Pentagon Chief remains to work under a president from a different party. Obama had always condemned the previous administration policies.

“Nothing is definitive,” the former official said. “But Gates did agree to stay on.” Obama may also appoint Retired General, James Jones, as his national security advisor. Jones had been a former Marine Commandant and one time supreme allied commander of NATO.

Appointment of Gates as the Defense Secretary would mean that he would have support from both sides of the aisle in the Congress. Moreover, it would also give him experienced defense chief that has experience with foreign leaders around the world and respect from senior military officer corps. Gates will now have to pivot from serving the commander in chief that started the Iraq war to serving one who has vowed to end it. Obama is likely to make announcements for his national security team next week.

Gates has served two years as Defense Secretary in Bush’s administration. His appointment would fulfill an Obama pledge to include a Republican in his Cabinet.

Obama has already offered the prestigious position of Secretary of State to Senator Hillary Clinton. With Hillary as Secretary of State, Jones as National Security Advisor and Gates as Defense Secretary, Obama is expected to have three high powered officials at the heart of his administration.

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